Markham breaks free of Single-Use Plastics

Innovative recycling program helps keep Styrofoam packaging out of landfills

Markhamstaffnews.ca
October 8, 2020

On October 19, 2020, Styrofoam packaging will be banned from curbside collection to increase recycling of Single-Use Plastics and to help divert 85 per cent of residential waste from landfills. This new, innovative environmental initiative is part of the City of Markham’s Diversion Strategy 2: 2020-2023 and has been modelled after its successful electronics recycling and award-winning household textile recycling programs.

Styrofoam packaging is used to protect appliances, household electronics, furniture, and online deliveries. Residents must now drop off their Styrofoam packaging at any of Markham’s four community recycling depots. It will be compressed into bricks, then used to make new products including picture frames, crown moulding and benches.

Styrofoam take-out food containers and cups are not banned from curbside collection. Residents can continue to put these in their clear bag garbage or drop them off at the recycling depots.

“Markham already has the highest curbside waste diversion rate of any urban municipality in Canada,” said Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti. “This is another positive step we are taking to invest in a greener future while ensuring Styrofoam is properly diverted, reused and not placed in our landfill. Our goal is to work with our residents to increase our current waste diversion rate from 81 per cent to 85 per cent. Waste diversion is an important sustainability initiative to reduce waste to landfill sites and minimize waste transportation, thereby playing an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”

Single-Use Plastics are particularly problematic for environmental sustainability because there are few ways to reuse, recycle or compost them. Additionally, much end up as litter on roads, parks, trails and creeks.

There are some types of foam that cannot be recycled. These should be put in clear bag garbage:

• Unwashed, soiled Styrofoam food containers
• Craft/florist foam
• Foam wrap
• Hot tub covers
• Packing peanuts
• Pool noodles
• Rubber foam

Residents who are unsure how to properly dispose of an item can use the “What Goes Where” search tool available on the Access Markham mobile app or on the City’s website. Residents can also use the mobile app to check their collection schedule or set up personalized collection reminders.

To learn more about this initiative, visit markham.ca/StyrofoamRecycling.

Markham waste management milestones:

2013:
Clear bag garbage introduced, allowing collectors to identify if recyclables, organics, hazardous and electronic material have been improperly disposed
eWaste (e.g. TVs, computers) banned from curbside garbage collection, keeping harmful metals out of the landfill and allowing valuable parts like glass, plastic, gold, silver, copper and palladium to be recycled

2017:
Household textiles banned from curbside garbage collection, resulting in 18,379,692 pounds (8,337 metric tonnes) of textiles diverted from the landfill